On the putting green, you may mark, lift and clean your ball. Elsewhere, a rule must allow lifting. When lifting only to identify the ball, check for damage or see whether it lies in a condition from which relief is allowed, cleaning is restricted to what is necessary.
Mark the position before lifting whenever the ball must be replaced. A ball-marker or a club placed immediately beside the ball is normally suitable.
On the putting green
Mark the spot, lift the ball and clean it. Replace the same ball on its original spot before playing. Do not move the marker to improve the line or forget to return it after moving it aside for another player.
Elsewhere on the course
- Identification: clean only as much as needed to identify it.
- Checking for a cut or crack: clean only as much as needed to inspect it.
- Checking whether relief is allowed: cleaning is not permitted unless relief is then taken or another rule allows it.
- Taking relief: the ball may generally be cleaned once lifted under that relief rule.
Procedure when lifting to check
Announce the intention to the marker or opponent when the rule requires an opportunity to observe, mark the spot and do not rotate or lift more than reasonably necessary. Replace the ball if relief is not taken.
The essential point
The putting green allows routine marking and cleaning. Elsewhere, lift only under a rule and limit cleaning when the purpose is identification or inspection.
Sources
The following official or specialist sources were used to verify this independently written guide.
- The R&A – official guidance Source used to verify the rules or factual information in this guide.
- The R&A – official guidance Source used to verify the rules or factual information in this guide.
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